(not so) random links

before i launch into this most recent bunch o' links, i want to say thanks for the HUGE response to my why do we wear what we wear? post early last week. i guess i touched on something there! i am constantly floored at how intelligent and creative and diverse you all are. thanks for reading! and for sharing and discussing. i'm constantly humbled by the fact that you stop by and are in some way interested in what i blog about or...really, anything i post!
now, on with the show!

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-the bay area maker faire, put on by make: and craft: is this coming weekend, may 3rd and 4th, down in san mateo, california, at the san mateo fairgrounds. are any of you bay area denziens planning on going?
fun fact: i spoke about wardrobe_remix at last year's maker faire! it was a blast.
and looks like they have a TON of great craft demos and crafty happenings going down this year too, including the bizarre bazaar. my in-laws are due to visit this weekend...maybe we'll drag them down there for a look-see! *evil laugh*

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-reason # 7658934563 that fashion trend pronouncements are a steaming pile of stinking TRIPE: the fashion industry (well, really, idiotic fashion editors, designers, and their ilk) is now claiming that the dress is "OUT" (via the new york times). seriously?? like people are going to stop wearing dresses because some dolt like anne slowey claims they are "out"??? just thinking about this and how inane and non-sensical such a statement is makes me want to slam my head against the wall repeatedly in frustration. (via a dress a day) dresses make up a very broad and diverse category of clothing, so to say all dresses are "out" as of this coming fall (??) just sounds completely moronic. like, are all brides going to forgo the trad wedding DRESS in lieu of wedding PANTS, for starters??
now do you understand why i constantly say "trends" are just a bunch of garbage? this kind of thing TOTALLY proves my point...if nothing else i've ever written to this end hasn't worked in convincing you. :P

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and a big old stack of the quick and dirty!:
-i love love LOVE this how-to on hand-dying trims, by a little imagination and a pile of junk. bright, and happy...and could be used in so many ways. your imagination is probably the only limitation! (via craft:)
-this knitted food by artist ed bing lee looks scrumptious! (via fly)
-check out this inspiring sweater recon by one pearl button. i can think of a million stylish ways to riff off that idea...again, the possibilities seem endless!
-some super-duper pretty dahlias made from rick-rack, by made with love by hannah. would be lovely as a brooch, hair do-dad, or hat decoration, methinks!
-threadbanger's blog has a great round-up of ways to make handmade shoes...check it!
-the human ecology collection of the university of wisconsin-madison has an online archive of vintage dressmaking, fashion design, costume design, millinery (aka hatmaking), and sewing texts provided in full available for your perusal right here. an AMAZING resource for makers and designers, to say the least.
-check out this patchwork/collaged chair tutorial by dutch artist jane schouten on design*sponge. i'm literally drooling over it...so covetable, and so do-able!
-the coveted dishes out the deets on a slew of great ebay sellers who specialize in designer and vintage goodies. worth a peek!
-there's apparently a new (to me?) SF street fashion blog, called san francisco style (via design that kills). what makes it different from the pack? a huge amount of commentary by the authors on the stylish who were snapped on SF's streets.